jeff1 Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 After buying a hitchdrive caravan mover,it took me 2 mins to realise how rubbish it was.So,you lot out there,which is the best caravan mover?I don't want a fixed one,just a portable one to park it at home.I have a slight slope,nothing dramatic,so.....can you help? :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Three main suppliers in the field, with one or two new players now entering the business. The 3 big suppliers are Truma, Reich and Powrwheel. I settled for Powrwheel because of their good reputation for service and installation and for the 5 yr. no Quibble warranty. to me being 70 could be a lifetime guanantee. the system was fitted to a Compass in 2005 and was transferred to a Coachman VIP in 2006 and to date has presented no problems. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocsid Posted August 31, 2006 Share Posted August 31, 2006 I used to use a Mr Shifta Mk 1 and it was good with my 1000kg van but struggled when I changed to a 1700 kg van. However I had to come up and down a 1:14 inclined , tarmaced drive. Biggest problem was coming down when it was wet; instead of stopping it would skid the tyres; a bit un-nerving. Was no problem with the 1000kg van. Secret with all these devices is the weight acting on the tyres and hence the frictional tractive grip. The more the better thus the Mr Shifta which includes its battery is potentially better than those that use the caravan's battery. Similary the fixed units that drive the caravan's tyres that take the caravans weight are leauges ahead on tractive grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 The main problem with the temporarily attached units, i.e. the ones that hook into the towing fixture, is that when driving forwards the weight is transferred away from the units wheels which can cause them to slip. On wet grass for example I'd think they are of little use. The permanently attached units like the Truma, Powrwheel etc type drive using the caravans own wheels which means that weight transfer is not an issue. I supply and fit the Powrwheel type because they give an excellent backup service and manufacturers 5 year unconditional guarantee. After looking at what else was available I came to the conclusion that the Powrwheel is the best designed and built unit of it's type. Add to that the "soft start" feature which means the caravan will not lurch suddenly into motion but gently picks up from stationary and you might see why I only fit these units. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcoley Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Hi, I used to have a Mr Shifta to move my previous caravan but it wouldn't grip when I changed to a slightly heavier van last November. I invested in a fixed mover from Rhyno. Best thing I've ever done. Now the tension that used rise as I came home and approached the drive each trip has disappeared. They are much better than a portable mover. I shopped around, got quotes from all suppliers and ended up saving about £200 by buying the Rhyno and believe it's probably better made than the rest with a lifetime guarantee. Find details by entering Rhyno motor mover on google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolh Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 when we had a caravan - sterling jewel (fixed bed) we had the carver mover - it worked a treat - we never looked back, there were times when it struggled, when the ground was bad, but overall we were more than pleased with it. Saved lots of pushing and pulling - and don't forget the cursing :D Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamlee Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Could you give me any further advice about buying a Rhyno motor mover? Suppliers?? Is yours for a single or twin axle? I am looking for a mover for tight manoeuvering of a fairly large twin axle van and I like the description on their web site.So far,I do not have any feedback from Rhyno users. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Cooper Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Here's a review I wrote about the Reich remote mover if it helps: http://www.busyoutdoors.com/Reich_Twin_Axle_Caravan_Mover_Review.html I wouldn't be without the peace of mind of having a permanent mover fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenny.k Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 We have just ordered for our new Abbey 416 GTS, which is yet to be delivered.About 2 weeks to go. We have ordered a Powrtouch through e-bay, paying £875 fitted, they will travel within 200 miles without extra charge. I have had to organise as he is getting very busy. Thought about buying a Rhyno, but when you way it up it is only about £30 cheaper that Powrtouch, and i would rather have it fitted, that have my poor old hubby lying on the ground, also it comes with a 3year warranty. Looked into all the others possibilities, and having it fitted by the caravan dealer we are purchasing van from he wanted £1500!!!!!!!!!!!!. Will update this post when it is in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Syd Posted July 17, 2007 Share Posted July 17, 2007 Our caravan weighs in at 1700k and we have a Powrwheel mover fitted. In France recently after seven days of HEAVY rain I thought we would have to stay for a month before we could get out of our spot but no the Powrwheel pushed the caravan back 30 yards through all of the mud and deep puddles onto a road where I was able to get hooked up. Brilliant tool and a great firm to deal with, after 18 months a fault developed and they replaced the computer part immediately without any problem. Then I discovered it was a different fault that was my fault and when I told them so they just said "Well just keep it anyway" I felt really guilty and returned it anyway. Great people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Syd Posted July 18, 2007 Share Posted July 18, 2007 One more thing that someone once told me was that this equipment should not really be powered through a leisure battery as it demands a greater power supply than a leisure battery likes to give and so ideally it should preferably have its own car type battery. Mine is powered through our two 100amp leisure batterys and seems to work well enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 As a complete outsider – I’ve never even owned a caravan, nor any other kind of trailer for that matter – I am curious as to why they cost so much. Looks to me like all that is involved is the equivalent of two starter motors, plus a few brackets and things. Clearly I am missing the point. But what is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Syd Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 [QUOTE]Bill - 2007-07-28 5:49 PM As a complete outsider – I’ve never even owned a caravan, nor any other kind of trailer for that matter – I am curious as to why they cost so much. Looks to me like all that is involved is the equivalent of two starter motors, plus a few brackets and things. Clearly I am missing the point. But what is it? [/QUOTE] You have got to be taking the mickey, think about what you are asking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 [QUOTE]Syd - 2007-07-29 11:34 PM [QUOTE]Bill - 2007-07-28 5:49 PM As a complete outsider – I’ve never even owned a caravan, nor any other kind of trailer for that matter – I am curious as to why they cost so much. Looks to me like all that is involved is the equivalent of two starter motors, plus a few brackets and things. Clearly I am missing the point. But what is it? [/QUOTE] You have got to be taking the mickey, think about what you are asking[/QUOTE] No, I am not taking the mickey. As I stated quite clearly, I am a complete outsider – I’ve never even owned a caravan, nor any other kind of trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Syd Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 [QUOTE]Bill - 2007-07-30 9:42 AM [QUOTE]Syd - 2007-07-29 11:34 PM [QUOTE]Bill - 2007-07-28 5:49 PM As a complete outsider – I’ve never even owned a caravan, nor any other kind of trailer for that matter – I am curious as to why they cost so much. Looks to me like all that is involved is the equivalent of two starter motors, plus a few brackets and things. Clearly I am missing the point. But what is it? [/QUOTE] You have got to be taking the mickey, think about what you are asking[/QUOTE] No, I am not taking the mickey. As I stated quite clearly, I am a complete outsider – I’ve never even owned a caravan, nor any other kind of trailer. [/QUOTE] Hi Bill Sorry Well think about it for a moment, what can you do with two starter motors, can you control the speed they move you at, can you reverse them and can you make one of them go one way and the other one go in the oposite direction. Don't think so. The mover manufacturers internet sites will give you all of the info that you need just have a look see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Hi Syd Thanks for your reply. I’ve looked at the Powrwheel website, and apart from the fact that the fitting cost is quite a small fraction of the total - £60 for the basic single-axle model – it didn’t answer my question. As for the rest [QUOTE] what can you do with two starter motors, can you control the speed [/QUOTE] Just a simple rheostat, surely? [QUOTE] can you reverse them [/QUOTE] A switch to direct the (DC) current in the opposite direction? [QUOTE] can you make one of them go one way and the other one go in the oposite direction. [/QUOTE] Switches as above, but one for each motor As for the remote, it looks very like a TV remote and I assume uses the same technology; you can buy one of those for about twenty quid. Given that the usage would be MUCH lighter than a starter motor you could probably get away with something less robust and therefore cheaper. On the other hand, starters are made by the million so economies of scale might well cancel this out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Syd Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Hi Bill How much does all of this equipment of yours cost you and would it work anything like as well as the manufactured product. You tell me !! My caravan weighs in at 1800 kilo's and takes some moveing, especially when in wet muddy conditions, our mover did the job with no problems. Bodge jobs are seldom reliable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 [QUOTE]Syd - 2007-07-30 10:06 PM My caravan weighs in at 1800 kilo's and takes some moveing [/QUOTE] Don't confuse the value of something with the cost of producing it. (To a man dying of thirst in the desert a glass of orinary tap water would be beyond price; that doesn't mean it would cost any more than the usual tiny fraction of a penny to produce it). I certainly agree that this devices are extremely useful - but that doesn't mean they cost a fortune to produce. I wasn’t thinking of making one, just looking at why they cost so much. Starter motors probably retail at £150 or so, but if you bought in bulk a good deal less. Several automotive rheostats – i.e. probably about the right capacity - going on e-bay for around a fiver. Switches: 50p each Plus a few brackets and other odds and ends and – probably the big one – the labour cost of putting it all together.. Just as an aside, I wonder why none of the manufacurers offer the option of used/reconditioned starter motors. After all, most cars go to the scrappy wth their starters in working order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyHarry Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Hi Bill, I love your thinking and in a way you are right to ask why these things cost so much, when essentially all they are is .... But, apart from the labour cost, electrical know how, traction know how, trial and error of which starter motor to use, fabricating the brackets, etc etc.. (I’m with you and would have a go a making them as I have an amount of this know how (electrically bias maintenance engineer) the real point is, that most people don't want to build these things, they (I presume) would rather spend the time sitting back with a cold beer, or hiking up mountains or whatever hobby they pursue instead. So the real answer to you question "why do they cost so much" is basic economics, Supply and demand. In other words, because people are willing to pay. (but tell me, why do caravans cost so much, surely one could bolt a shed to a trailer and hey ho, ta da !!) I’m only teasing… have a go with the starter motors, I’ll help if you like. Let us know how you get on, if all goes well, I may even buy one from you. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Syd Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 [QUOTE]Syd - 2007-07-18 12:04 AM One more thing that someone once told me was that this equipment should not really be powered through a leisure battery as it demands a greater power supply than a leisure battery likes to give and so ideally it should preferably have its own car type battery. Mine is powered through our two 100amp leisure batterys and seems to work well enough.[/QUOTE] Above is a quote from one of my earlier posts and some of it is incorrect. I draw your attention to my statement that the mover should not be powered through a leisure battery, well Im wrong it should be powered through a leisure battery. Sorry if I have caused anyone any un-neccessary expense. I found this out today because my powerwheel mover is beginning to struggle with the extra weight of all of the extra's that we have added this year and because we are now taking much longer breaks hence taking more clothes etc etc Speaking to powerwheel at length today they explaind the problem and thankfully informed me that there is an upgrade available for just this problem and said that because there is some doubt about wether I stated the incorrect weight when I ordered or that they may have picked the weight up incorrectly the upgrade would be half price. Very generous of them indeed as I wasn't asking for anything at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syd Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 [QUOTE]Syd - 2007-10-25 7:09 PM [QUOTE]Syd - 2007-07-18 12:04 AM One more thing that someone once told me was that this equipment should not really be powered through a leisure battery as it demands a greater power supply than a leisure battery likes to give and so ideally it should preferably have its own car type battery. Mine is powered through our two 100amp leisure batterys and seems to work well enough.[/QUOTE] Above is a quote from one of my earlier posts and some of it is incorrect. I draw your attention to my statement that the mover should not be powered through a leisure battery, well Im wrong it should be powered through a leisure battery. Sorry if I have caused anyone any un-neccessary expense. I found this out today because my powerwheel mover is beginning to struggle with the extra weight of all of the extra's that we have added this year and because we are now taking much longer breaks hence taking more clothes etc etc Speaking to powerwheel at length today they explaind the problem and thankfully informed me that there is an upgrade available for just this problem and said that because there is some doubt about wether I stated the incorrect weight when I ordered or that they may have picked the weight up incorrectly the upgrade would be half price. Very generous of them indeed as I wasn't asking for anything at all[/QUOTE] Upgrade now fitted and working great, I can turn the caravan completely round in a full circle in the road at my front door in less than 2 minutes without the need to shunt it backwards and forwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 It the best thing we done, had a motor mover fitted, people like myself and other with health problem, we use to have a big foot motor mover that fit on the jockey wheel clamp, got fed up with that keep getting the spare battery out of the garage and put it in the front locker, it nearly took me 20 minute to fit it all up, then I was out of breath, [asthmas] So in the end we had a rhyno motor mover fitted, we know it alot of money, but it make life a lot easier and save wear on the car clutch too, we still got the big foot as a stand by in case, who know!!!! Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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